I would like to preface this by saying that I don’t want to start a debate nor do I want to shit on New Belgium at all. This is your very friendly reminder: EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION AND A DIFFERENT PALATE. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE DOESN’T LIKE A BEER DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS A BAD BEER. Okay, shits, let’s do this.
VooDoo Ranger… the new(ish) series from New Belgium has its great hits, for sure, but damnit… trying to throw away Pumpkick and replace it with Atomic Pumpkin Ale is NOT OKAY, NEW BELGIUM!
Guys, you know me; I try to be an unbiased writer/drinker/person/whatever, but I will not sit back and allow this to happen! I mean, it has happened and that’s why I’m here. My heart is just broken, I guess and I’m apparently still in shock.
I would like to think I’m a Fall Beer connoisseur and that Pumpkick was hands-down the superior Fall beer. Go back to my article about it!
So, when I was minding my own business, perusing the beer sites as I always do at work (Hey! It’s my job to stay in the know!) I realized that it was Autumn! I rushed over to the Google machine and typed in when Pumpkin would be hitting shelves. I knew it should be soon, but hadn’t seen anything on any of our local liquor stores’ social media accounts. Upon further investigation (and many upsetting text messages) I realized, to my horror, that New Belgium had discontinued Pumpkick and in return, replaced it with VooDoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin Ale. What in the fresh hell? Despite my sadness, I trusted New Belgium and promptly walked to the nearest liquor store and picked up a 6 pack of the faux-Pumpkick.
So, the main reason why you are all here:
My Beer Review of Atomic Pumpkin
Atomic Pumpkin is exactly that. Atomic Pumpkin.* It’s made with Pumpkin, Habanero and Saigon Cinnamon. I swear to you, it’s all of the warmth and spiciness of a jalapeno plus the flavor of pumpkin pie (with cinnamon). They did an amazing job of bringing out the flavors they put in this beer. I will tell you, though, this is not what I want in an autumn-seasoned brew. I’m very sensitive to spice, not kitchen spice; spice-spice. Mild heat in any food makes me feel like I’m flammable. This Atomic Pumpkin Ale has the perfect beginning flavor of pumpkin pie, but then has the kick of a pepper beer. Spicy. Warm. Did I say spicy? If you’re a fan of big flavor and the hint of a pepper-spice, this is the beer for you. I just need my Fall beer a bit less hot. That’s why I was freaking excited that I found 5 Pumpkicks in my fridge from last year… so you guys know where I’ll be.
Also, my burps were insanely hot after.
*I kept typing Pumpkick and it’s really upsetting.